I think it has more to do with striking a posture in defense of Assange and the basic principles of journalism
You may be right brooks -- but then explain to me why for the last 7 years they have denigrated JA in every way possible, including the ridiculous Manafort lies (which they still haven't retracted)? Are they so dumb they think standing up for Assange now will wipe out the memory of their years of cowardice and betrayal? Are they so unbelievably stupid to think we'd buy that?